Raiders suffer defeat in Worcester

Raiders suffer defeat in Worcester

Following a good win last weekend against Newcastle Eagles, the Raiders travelled to Worcester on Friday night suffering a 97 – 90 loss.

The game started well with the Raiders opening up a 27 – 8 lead in the first eight minutes of the game following some hot shooting from Louis Sayers (9) and Brandon Penn (7). Worcester closed the quarter with a 10 – 1 run of their own with Raiders holding a 17 – 28 lead.

The second period, in contrast to the first went in Worcester’s favour. After captain Zac Wells opened the scoring for the quarter, Raiders went on a five minute scoring drought allowing Worcester to take the lead 31 – 30. Both teams traded baskets before five points to end the quarter for the Wolves gave them a 44 – 39 half time lead.

Words from Coach Love encouraged the Raiders to come out strong in the second half and a combined 25 points from Neil Watson, Kinu Rochford and Jawad Adekoya help Raiders edge back in front 63 – 66 with 10 minutes to play despite no help from the referees with several players in foul trouble.

Both sides again traded baskets and with six minutes remaining Rochford, who had 15 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists saw the fifth foul called against him. A little over a minute later with the scores tied at 79 – 79, Brandon Penn also saw his marching orders following his fifth foul. Raiders battle hard and despite calls not going their way and trailing 90 – 88, Wells’ became the thirds Raiders player to have to take a seat after fouling out. Worcester closed out the game with a 7 – 2 to run to take the win 97 – 90.

In a game with so many twists and turns with the Raiders being 19 ahead at one point, it was a hard game for both the team and the fans to take. Calls didn’t seem to go in favour of the Raiders and with 28 fouls called against them in comparison to Worcester’s 15, this resulting in Worcester shooting 17 more free throws than the Raiders and this was ultimately where they won the game.

Following his MVP debut performance last week against the Eagles, it was Adekoya who led the Raiders scoring with 20 with Watson on 17 along with 8 assists followed by Rochford on 15. Penn and Sayers also scored double figures with 13 and 12 retrospectively.

The fixtures come thick and fast for Plymouth Raiders now with them having to pick their heads up before returning to Pavilions on Sunday against the Surrey Scorchers (4:00 pm). Following this back to back fixtures against Bristol Flyers at the Pavilions on Sunday 10th and Sunday 17th in the BBL Trophy and Championship precede an away trip to London Loins before the Wolves visit the Pavilions on Thursday 28th December (7:30 pm).